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Live Sync FAQ for Live Mesh users (it lives!)

Jun 5, 2010 5:21 am by Kip Kniskern | 10 comments

On Friday, we received a nice tip from Robert McLaws about a post on the Live Mesh MSDN blog (which hadn’t had an update since last October), entitled “Windows Live Sync beta: FAQ if you used Live Mesh beta or the previous version of Sync”. We were planning on going through the FAQ step by step and make some comments (which we still plan on doing), but when we went to pull up the post, *poof* it was gone.

Well, this is the internet. Things don’t just disappear. A quick Bing search found a nicely preserved copy on a blog called MSDN Blog Postings via RSS, which we’ll reproduce here:

Windows Live Sync beta:
FAQ if you used Live Mesh beta or the previous version of Sync
A new Sync beta will be available for download in the coming weeks. For information about the beta, please see the product overview. You can also get instructions for switching to the new version of Sync here – but we recommend reading the FAQ first.
(LiveSide edit: List of questions at the top removed for space )
Q: Why is Live Mesh beta being replaced by Sync?
A: We heard from customers that they were confused by Microsoft having two products with similar features. In response to their feedback, we announced at PDC 2008 that Live Mesh would be integrated into Windows Live. Since then, we have been focusing our efforts on a single product and working hard to get Live Mesh technology into Windows Live and ready to serve millions of customers.
Q: How is the new Sync different from Live Mesh beta?
A: The new Windows Live Sync will be the first version of Sync to include Live Mesh technology. However, there are some differences between the new Sync and Live Mesh beta, including:
Faster remote desktop with zoom
Improved peer-to-peer (P2P) file synchronization
A new web interface integrated with rest of Windows Live
Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office program settings can be synced across PCs
Simplified user interface
2 GB of online storage for synced folders
Support for only Windows 7, Windows Vista with SP2, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, and Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard and later
Q: What happened to the Live Desktop and device view in Live Mesh?
A: We heard from customers that they liked these features, but wanted them to be integrated with other web services that they used frequently. As a result, we created a web service (devices.live.com) that is integrated into the other Windows Live services and has a similar look and feel. You can use Devices to connect to a PC remotely, browse folders that are synced online, and see information about your computers that are online. Over time, we hope to make Windows Live services available across more devices.
Q: What happened to integration of Live Mesh into Windows Explorer (e.g. blue folders, context menus)?
A: In this release, we have focused on making it easy to setup and manage syncing within the Sync application. We understand that some users would like to manage sync settings from elsewhere. This is something we would consider for a future release.
Q: Why can’t I sync folders on my mobile device?
A: With this release of Windows Live Sync, we focused on syncing folders between computers. In the future, we’ll explore adding support for other devices including mobile phones.
Q: Why is there less online storage for Sync than there was in the Live Mesh beta?
A: We made this compromise to reach as many people as possible with a free service. We learned from the Live Mesh beta that most people used much less than 2 GB of online storage.
If you used more, here are two options to consider:
If you need to share and collaborate on folders with a lot of people, use Windows Live SkyDrive. SkyDrive has 25 GB of storage space and lots of sharing options. You can even edit Office documents at the same time and track versions.
If you synced lots of photos or personal videos on your Live Mesh online storage, sync them between computers only. With the new Sync beta, you can sync pretty much as many files as you want between computers.

Q: Why isn’t the Sync beta supported on Windows XP or Windows Home Server?
A: Given the growing popularity of Windows 7, we made the decision to invest our resources in building the latest version of Windows Live Essentials – including the new Sync – to enhance the Windows 7 experience. The newest generation of Windows Live Essentials includes innovative technology, including HD video file formats that aren’t supported on older operating systems such as Windows XP. As such, we made the difficult decision not to make this version of Windows Live available for Windows XP.For Windows Home Server users, the new Sync will work with the new version of Windows Home Server (code name “Vail”) – currently in preview.
Q: How is the Sync beta different from the last version of Sync (previously known as FolderShare)?
A: Here are just some of the differences:
Folders can be synced on online storage for access even when computers are offline
Remote connection functionality replaces web-based browsing of folders on connected PCs
Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office program settings can be synced across PCs
More files (100k) are supported per Sync folder and more Sync folders are supported (200)
Even larger files (up to 50 GB) can be synced
The location of synced folders is automatically selected so folders can be synced across multiple PCs in one step
Support for only Windows 7, Windows Vista with SP2, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, and Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard and later
Q: When will I have to upgrade to the new Sync?
A: We will provide more details regarding the transition to the new Windows Live Sync in the coming months.
Q: Can I still sync my Mac with my PC using Windows Live Sync?
A: Yes. Windows Live Sync supports Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard and later.
Q: Can I run the new Sync beta on the same computer and at the same time as Live Mesh beta or the previous version of Sync?
A: Please click here for more information.
Q: I’m using Windows Live Toolbar to keep my Internet Explorer favorites in sync across my PCs. Will Sync beta change this?
A: As part of the overall upgrade to Windows Live Essentials, we’re replacing Windows Live Toolbar with Bing Bar. Bing Bar offers many improvements while retaining easy access to Hotmail and other services. However, Bing Bar doesn’t offer the ability to sync favorites in Internet Explorer. Instead, you can use Sync beta to sync Internet Explorer settings like favorites across PCs.
If you currently use Windows Live Toolbar on a computer running Windows XP, you won’t be able to use the new version of Sync since it isn’t available for Windows XP. Any favorites you have synced to SkyDrive using Windows Live Toolbar will still be available on SkyDrive (http://skydrive.live.com).
Q: Why can’t I use all 25 GB of my SkyDrive storage for synced folders?
A: Synced folders on SkyDrive work differently than the rest of your SkyDrive. Learn more about the differences between Sync and SkyDrive
Q: Will I be able to purchase additional online storage for the new Sync?
A: While we expect that most customers will be satisfied with the amount of free online storage for synced folders, we understand you might be interested in more space. This is something we would consider for a future release.
This post originated from and is provided by the MSDN Blogs RSS feed. The original post of the article can be found here.

We’re not sure why the post was pulled, maybe it was just because the order of the questions was a little mixed up. Anyway, it was/is a very handy and informative FAQ, and we don’t want it to get lost in the ether.

This entry was posted in News and tagged Live Mesh, Sync, Wave 4. Bookmark the permalink.

cleverclogs
1) I actively use more than 2 GB of storage in the cloud for sync and access via other devices.
2) The computer I sync with at work runs XP… Mesh currently runs perfectly… will it be discontinued? If so, I will be unable to sync anything.
Marwan
I think it was/is a terrible decision not to “really” integrate Sync Folders with the rest of SkyDrive. The main idea of sync’ing with an online storage service is to 1) replicate data AND 2) Make them available online for easy editing & sharing when not at home. So why on earth does MS aim at keeping SkyDrive the most capable (when it come to size, editing options of docs and media) & useless (when it comes to integration with explorer & sync scenarios) feature on planet? Most disppointing news on Wave 4 :((
jtmat
More great news… they JUST sold me on the new Windows Home Server… “For Windows Home Server users, the new Sync will work with the new version of Windows Home Server (code name “Vail”).”
Far as using more than 2 gb to sync, I’d say use remote access. Same thing with maybe two or three extra steps. Then you will have access to everything on your computer. No use in asking MS to break the bank to provide everyone with free storage over 2 gb… maybe in a paid version, which may be coming.
XP is dead… time to move on… not sure why we are still talking about it… been talked about to death. If they had supported xp, but then had to curve something else, we would complain about whatever they had to curve.
If they port the office mobile apps to home server, that would be even better… then I can use my home server as my own skydrive. Of course, I’d have to pay money to set this up… what is money? I thought everything was free!
I’m still hype about the fact the folders and file sizes are going to increase. This makes sync more than worth it, IMO.
Being able to sync 200 folders, with each folder holding 100,000 files, and each file having a maximum size of 40 gb is huge. Can’t wait to see if I can reliably sync my virtual machines. SSSOOO glad I don’t have to “manage” my folders now. I’ve already had to split one folder which makes things confusing; now I can rejoin it. Make it whole. :-)
Some of my home movies and business files are over 4 gb, no longer have to split those. Actually, there are so many of them, I don’t bother sync’ing them.
As a version 1 (beta) program, the new sync kicks the door in… the more I think about how I can setup access to my files, the more I can’t wait to see the new program.
The post was more than likely was pulled due to sentence structure/errors and inconsistent information.
carlos
I really hope they don’t kill Mesh. it’s a great product
http://myego.cz Radek Hulan
As current Live Mesh user, I don’t like it at all. Microsoft is working for 2+ years on “new” product that has less features, is not integrated well, and offers less storage? Complete #fail.
Will probably move to Dropbox.
- jtmat
  Moving forward, Live Sync has more potential than dropbox. Only thing drop box has going for it is mobile sync. I’m thinking MS is keeping mobile sync’ing until WinMob 7 hits, although, I’d rather have it now.
  Live sync smokes dropbox… IMO… lol
  - http://myego.cz/ Radek Hulán
    “Live Sync has more potential than dropbox” — that could be true, but people are living now, not in some potential future ;) I love Live Mesh and I hope they at least keep the program running, at least to the point where Sync actualy would offer more features and more storage. Right now, Sync seems to suck comparing to Live Mesh.
    - jtmat
      No, I meant Live sync is much better than dropbox, outside of mobile sync, AND has more potential. I don’t think it is a fair comparison for dropbox vs. Live sync… like a Super Heavy weight vs a Flyweight.
      And outside of the 2 vs. 5 gb of storage and mobile sync, I’m not even sure how you can say sync sucks compared to mesh.
      I tested both mesh and “old” sync for long periods of time. Settled on old sync since it seemed a much more mature product. I would not care if they switched the mesh domain to live sync tonight. :-)
      Can’t wait to see what is finally launched.
      Guess I’m so hype on what they are launching that I’m forgetting that not everyone works the same as I do. I have a computer dedicated to sync that stays on 24/7… I’m never without my files. In the past I’ve used that computer as a backup, recently I’ve toyed with using my media center as that pc… all kinds of ways to get into my files.
      Each his own… all good stuff anyway.
DrAT
Upgrade to Windows 7 and Phone 7 or be dammed.
Well, Live MESH was only ever a beta but I had it working just the way I wanted it too. It’s obviously too complicated for the general public. I’m not going to help MS beta test this lot. I’ve got DropBox, Humyo and iDrive accounts to be going on with.
Rodolfo G.
I think the the real question for current mesh users is: What’s gonna happen if I currently use more than the 2GB space they plan to offer… Will I lose data randomly (very much unlikely), or will they force use to delete data until we reach the 2GB cap before allowing us to switch to Live Sync, or, unlikely but hopefully, will they allow us to keep the 5GB limit for those of us who’ve been using their mesh beta service (as I recall, there are even some ppl who were fortunate enough to get a 30GB mesh storage limit when it was first going into public beta)… We need to know this and this FAQ doesn’t answer it…